Winning start for rookie Keane

Sunderland demonstrated the fighting spirit their new manager has based his
career upon as Roy Keane celebrated a winning start to his career as boss of the
Black Cats.

One-nil down at half-time at Derby, Sunderland turned the match around in the
second half at Pride Park and secured a first away victory of the season thanks
to two goals in three minutes.

Their last away trip resulted in Carling Cup humiliation at Bury, but after
going behind just before half-time to Matt Oakley's volley today, Chris Brown
and Ross Wallace replied for Sunderland.

Former Manchester United captain Keane could be satisfied not only with the
three points, but the fact former Celtic midfielder Wallace was one of his six
transfer deadline day signings.

Sunderland remain in the bottom half of the table, but the top is so congested
that it may not be long before they enter the promotion frame.

The top three teams before kick-off all lost - Cardiff, Norwich and Crystal
Palace.

Cardiff remain as leaders with 13 points from six games, but only on goal
difference from Birmingham having been beaten 2-1 at Preston.

Cardiff's Glenn Loovens and Preston's David Nugent were both sent off in a
goalless first half, before Patrick Agyemang put the home side in front three
minutes after the interval.

Former Newcastle striker Michael Chopra equalised after 51 minutes for the
Bluebirds, however one-time Manchester United prospect Danny Pugh headed home
the decisive goal in the 65th minute.

Norwich were swept aside at Coventry, losing 3-0 as Chris Birchall, Kevin Kyle
and Stern John plundered the goals.

Faltering Palace slipped up 2-1 at Luton, going behind to strikes from Carlos
Edwards and Rowan Vine before James Scowcroft fired home a late penalty
consolation.

Birmingham leapt two places to second after beating Hull 2-1 at St Andrews.

DJ Campbell's sharp finish put Birmingham ahead after 16 minutes and on-loan
Arsenal player Nicolas Bendtner extended their lead in the 53rd minute.

David Livermore struck for Hull in the 67th minute, however the Tigers could
not find an equaliser and striker Jon Parkin - a substitute - was sent off in
the 90th minute.

West Brom crept up to third after finally wearing down Leicester at The
Hawthorns, winning 2-0.

Leicester defender Darren Kenton gifted West Brom the lead after 83 minutes
when he headed Nigel Quashie's cross past Paul Henderson, and a Kevin Phillips
penalty three minutes later confirmed the outcome.

Colchester stunned Burnley at Turf Moor, where a goal on the counter-attack
from Kevin Watson and Chris Iwelumo's penalty gave the visitors a 2-0 lead. Andy
Gray pulled one back two minutes from time.

Ipswich came from behind to sink Southampton - and former boss George Burley -
2-1 at Portman Road.

Southend versus Sheffield Wednesday finished goalless, while Plymouth were
held 1-1 at home by QPR - Dexter Blackstock and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake the scorers
- and Barnsley came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Stoke at Oakwell.